WHITE STONE—William Dwight “Bill” Jones, 77, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2021, with his wife and family at his side.
Born November 4, 1943, in Richmond to William Cope Jones and Helen Mildred Glasgow Jones, Bill spent his early years in Virginia Beach, where he began his lifelong love of saltwater fishing, boating and living by the water.
When his family returned to Richmond, he attended Douglas S. Freeman High School, graduating in 1962 and excelling in athletics as well as academics. He was named a high school All-American, earned district and All-Metro MVP honors in football and was state champion in shot put.
Recruited widely, Bill accepted a football scholarship to Duke University, where he played offensive tackle and earned All-America and Academic All-America honors, as well as being named to first team All-ACC and Academic All-ACC teams. He was a member and president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. During his Duke days, he met his future wife, Bonnie-Leigh, whom he would marry four years later. Bill graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. After a short time at the University of Virginia’s School of Business, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army, received his commission and served in the Ordnance Branch at Ft. Riley, Kansas.
Following active military duty, Bill entered law school at the University of Virginia and began the legal career that he would enjoy for 45 years. During this time, he and Bonnie-Leigh welcomed the first of their three sons, and the Jones family was officially underway. After admission to the bar, Bill began practice at the firm of Browder, Russell, Little, Morris and Butcher in 1972, then transitioned to a solo practice in 1979, focusing on corporate law, especially small businesses and the legal needs of the owners and their families. Bill enjoyed the challenges and rewards of being a sole practitioner and considered many of his clients as friends.
After retirement in 2016, Bill and his wife made their home on the banks of the Rappahannock River in White Stone, where they reveled in small town living and the beauty of the Northern Neck, fishing and crabbing off their dock, spending time with friends and family, and celebrating every sunset.
Bill was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Bonnie-Leigh; their three sons, William F. Jones (Kim), Kenneth C. Jones (Angela Rhoton) and Michael D. Jones (Cori); and four wonderful grandchildren, Carter, Emilie, Jackson and Taylor; brother, Thomas G. Jones (Page); and sisters, Kathleen Banks and Martha Craddock.
Bill’s greatest pride and joy was always his family. A devoted dad, he loved family fishing trips, vacations in the Florida Keys, high school and college sports and anything that brought good friends together.
He was always a Duke fan, but he cheered regularly for UVA and Rutgers as well, enjoying his sons’ experiences as fans and players at those universities. Bill and son Michael were inducted together in 2010 to the Douglas S. Freeman High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bill lived a full and joyful life. A voracious reader, he will be remembered for his common-sense approach to everything from the law to politics, his lifelong interest in history, nature, science and space, music, brewing beer, tasting wine, cooking (especially grilling) and creative do-it-yourself, as well as his sense of fun and adventure. But mostly we will remember his deep and abiding loyalty to those he loved. He will be missed by all who knew him.
The family looks forward to receiving friends on at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23228, with a service in celebration of Bill’s life at 3 p.m. A livestream of the service will be available through Bliley’s website: blileys.com/obituaries.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kilmarnock-Lancaster Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 333, Kilmarnock, VA 22482 or to the charity of your choice.
